Unconfirmed report: 50 killed in Tunisia

The situation in Tunisia is far more dangerous than previously reported.

The situation in Tunisia is far more dangerous than previously reported. A union official told AFP Tuesday that over 50 people died in three days of rioting in the central Kasserine region.

"The number killed has passed 50," said Sadok Mahmoudi, a member of the regional branch of the Tunisian General Union of Labour (UGTT).

Earlier the govermnet said 14 people were killed in riots over the weekend.

The Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said Tuesday at least 35 people were killed in the weekend unrest, while Amnesty International has estimated the toll at 23.

The Tunisian government has summoned the U.S. ambassador to Tunis, Gordon Gray, in response to a similar move by the State Department last week. According to Philip Crowley, spokesman fo the State Department, the Tunisian Ambassador to Washington, Mohammed Salah was summoned to express concern about the crisis in Tunisia, and asked to respect individual freedoms, especially in the field of Internet access.